Public · Mostly associate degrees · Small city

Whatcom Community College

Bellingham, Washington. 2,378 undergraduates.

39%Graduation rate2 pts above the national median for similar colleges (38%)
$17,524Average net price per year76% above the national median for similar colleges ($9,953)
$48,317Median earnings 10 years after starting7% above the national median for similar colleges ($45,146)
$9,500Median debt at graduation21% below the national median for similar colleges ($12,000)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($9,500) equals 20% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($48,317). That is a light load relative to pay.

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$15,776
$30,000–$48,000$15,100
$48,001–$75,000$19,343
$75,001–$110,000$22,340
Over $110,000$26,111

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $5,460 in-state, $11,807 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate39%38%
Return for second year—64%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$42,202$40,416
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$48,317$45,146
Median debt at graduation$9,500$12,000

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly associate degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

33 programs reported

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Similar colleges in Washington

Compare colleges side by side

Quick answers

How much does Whatcom Community College cost per year?
The average net price at Whatcom Community College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $17,524 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Whatcom Community College graduates earn?
Former Whatcom Community College students earn a median of $48,317 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Whatcom Community College?
39% of Whatcom Community College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Whatcom Community College graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Whatcom Community College is $9,500. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.